Lexical Summary Dor: Dor Original Word: דּוֹר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Dor, a place in PalestineOr (by permutation) Dorr (Josh. 17:11; 1 Kings 4:11) {dore}; from dowr; dwelling; Dor, a place in Palestine -- Dor. see HEBREW dowr NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dur Definition a city in Pal. NASB Translation Dor (7). Brown-Driver-Briggs דּאֹר proper name see below II. דור. דֹּב, דּוֺב see דבב. below דבא (? √ of following; existence & meaning dubious) II. דּאֹר, דּוֺר proper name, of a location (Phoenician דאר; cuneiform Du'ru KG121 COT on Joshua 17:11) city in Manasseh, on Mediterranean, south of Carmel (9 Roman miles north of Caesarea, compare LagOnom. 115, 2nd ed.149), דּוֺר Joshua 12:23; דּוֺר וּבְנוֺתֶיהָ Judges 1:27; 1 Chronicles 7:29 = ׳דּאֹר וּב Joshua 17:11; נָפַת דּוֺר Joshua 12:23 = נָפַת דּאֹר 1 Kings 4:11; נָפוֺת דּוֺר Joshua 11:2 (compare נפה); modern ˆan‰ura (ˆor‰ura) WilsonLands of Bible ii. 249 van de VeldeNarrat. i. 333 BdPal 238 compare Di Joshua 11:2. On עֵיןדֹּֿר(דּוֺרׅ see below עַיִן. Topical Lexicon DorLocation and Geography Dor was a fortified seaport on the southern slope of Mount Carmel, roughly midway between modern Haifa and Caesarea on Israel’s Mediterranean coast. Its broad bay and offshore sandbar created one of the few natural harbors south of Phoenicia, making the site strategically valuable for maritime trade. The surrounding district, sometimes called “Naphath-Dor” (uplands of Dor), included fertile coastal plains and the lower Carmel range. Biblical References and Narrative Setting 1. Canaanite Coalition (Joshua 11:2). Kings gathered “in Naphoth-dor on the west” to resist Israel; the name first surfaces as a center of opposition to the conquest. Historical Development Canaanite Dor flourished in the Late Bronze Age as a trade hub between Egypt and Phoenicia. Israel’s conquest did not immediately disrupt its cosmopolitan character; archaeological layers at Tel Dor reveal continuity of Canaanite material culture well into the Iron Age. Under Solomon, the harbor facilitated import of cedar and luxury goods, explaining its inclusion in a royal administrative circuit. Assyrian and later Persian rule continued to exploit the port, though the Old Testament narrative falls silent after the Chronicler’s mention. Military and Spiritual Lessons Dor embodies the tension between divine promise and human responsibility. Joshua’s victories showed the Lord’s ability to topple entrenched powers, yet Judges records lingering Canaanite influence because Israel “did not drive out” the inhabitants. The city therefore illustrates the cost of compromise: economic advantage was prized over covenant purity, foreshadowing larger patterns of syncretism that plagued Israel’s coastal tribes. Prophetic and Typological Significance The placement of Dor between Israel and the sea mirrors the believer’s interface with the world. When submission to God is wholehearted, even a worldly port can serve kingdom purposes (as under Solomon). When obedience falters, the same gateway becomes a conduit for idolatry. Dor thus typifies both the mission field and the battleground of sanctification. Archaeological Correlations Excavations at Tel Dor have uncovered Egyptian scarabs, Phoenician purple-dye vats, Israelite storehouses, and later Greek fortifications. The mixed strata confirm the biblical portrayal of changing hands and persistent multicultural influence. Notably, Iron Age pottery shows a blend of Israelite and Phoenician styles, underscoring Scripture’s claim that native populations remained alongside the tribes. Ministry Applications • Persistent obedience: Joshua’s initial triumph over Dor must be matched by ongoing faithfulness, lest old strongholds re-emerge (Judges 1:27). Summary Dor, the coastal stronghold allotted to Manasseh yet never fully possessed, serves as a historical reminder of God’s faithfulness in conquest, Israel’s mixed record of obedience, and the enduring call to holiness amid worldly opportunity. Forms and Transliterations ד֜וֹר דֹ֣אר דֹּ֑אר דּ֖וֹר דּ֛וֹר דּ֣וֹר דאר דור dō·wr ḏō·wr Dor dōr ḏōr dōwr ḏōwrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 11:2 HEB: וּבַשְּׁפֵלָ֑ה וּבְנָפ֥וֹת דּ֖וֹר מִיָּֽם׃ NAS: and on the heights of Dor on the west-- KJV: and in the borders of Dor on the west, INT: the lowland the heights of Dor the west Joshua 12:23 Joshua 12:23 Joshua 17:11 Judges 1:27 1 Kings 4:11 1 Chronicles 7:29 7 Occurrences |
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